WWE Tries Comedy Again. What Could Go Wrong?
Yes, Tony Hinchcliffe is back. No, this isn’t a joke.
WWE is once again partnering with comedian Tony Hinchcliffe for a late-night comedy event during SummerSlam weekend, despite widespread backlash to the Roast of WrestleMania earlier this year, which was heavily criticized for offensive material, awkward pacing, and a tone many fans found mean-spirited and off-brand.
The new show, WWE Late Night Featuring Tony Hinchcliffe, is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 2 at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, New Jersey. Like the previous roast, it will be a closed-door, non-televised event. WWE has not yet announced the lineup of performers.
The Roast of WrestleMania, held during WrestleMania 41 weekend at the BleauLive Theater in Las Vegas, featured appearances by The Miz, Sami Zayn, and WWE Hall of Famer Paul Heyman. Despite the star power, the show drew criticism for long stretches of silence, underwhelming writing, and jokes that veered into uncomfortable territory.
One of the most widely condemned moments came from Heyman himself, who made a joke referencing immigrants “waiting for their Green Cards.” The line drew groans from the audience and was widely described as xenophobic and out of step with WWE’s increasingly diverse talent base.
Other material targeted absent performers, particularly Charlotte Flair. Nia Jax delivered a series of biting jokes about Flair’s appearance, age, and personal life. One punchline described her as “held together by Botox and daddy issues,” while another compared her to “Ric Flair in drag.” Additional jokes referenced Flair’s relationship with Andrade El Idolo, suggesting her personal life was fair game despite her absence. The segment was criticized for singling out a top female performer who was not present to respond, reinforcing concerns that the event crossed from edgy into unnecessarily cruel.
The backlash online was swift, with many describing the show as “embarrassing,” “tone-deaf,” and “a total misfire.” Reports of audience walkouts and prolonged silences only added to the perception that the roast had failed to land with its intended audience.